U.S. patent number 6,643,365 [Application Number 09/547,502] was granted by the patent office on 2003-11-04 for system for providing calling party selection of destination when multiple telephones share the same telephone number.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Lucent Technologies Inc.. Invention is credited to James Patrick Dunn, Joan Marie Richied.
United States Patent |
6,643,365 |
Dunn , et al. |
November 4, 2003 |
System for providing calling party selection of destination when
multiple telephones share the same telephone number
Abstract
A telecommunications system that recognizes "post-fix" codes
after directory numbers are dialed. Such post-fix codes provide the
calling party with the ability to invoke features or functions
before the call is routed. By use of a post-fix code (for example,
*X or *XX) the caller may, for example, control routing of a
telephone call.
Inventors: |
Dunn; James Patrick (Northville
Township, LaSalle County, IL), Richied; Joan Marie
(Bolingbrook, IL) |
Assignee: |
Lucent Technologies Inc.
(Murray Hill, NJ)
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Family
ID: |
25348738 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/547,502 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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866924 |
May 30, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/211.02;
379/221.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q
3/0029 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04Q
3/00 (20060101); H04M 003/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;379/211.02,229,230,221.01 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Smith; Creighton
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Johannesen; Michael B. Santema;
Steven R.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.
08/866,924 filed on May 30, 1997. Now ABN
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for use in a telecommunications system for providing
calling party selection of one of a plurality of destinations that
share a common directory number, said telecommunications system
comprising a service circuit node and a plurality of switches
including an originating switch and a terminating switch, each of
said plurality of destinations is connected to one of said
plurality of switches by a uniquely identified termination, said
method comprising the steps of: initiating a call by entering a
directory number and a post-fix code at said originating switch by
said called party; routing said directory number and post-fix code
through said telecommunications system according to said directory
number, thereby delivering said directory number and said post-fix
code to the service circuit node; said service circuit node
translating said directory number to determine a plurality of
terminations for said directory number; said service circuit node
selecting one of the plurality of terminations responsive to said
post-fix code; and said service circuit node sending the one of
said terminations to said destination switch.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step
of responsive to receipt of said post-fix code, said service
circuit node prompting said calling party for further
information.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said service circuit
node includes at least one dual-tone, multi-frequency detector,
said method further including the step of said calling party
signaling to said service circuit node via dual-tone,
multi-frequency signaling.
4. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said service circuit
node includes a voice response unit, said method further including
the step of said calling party signaling to said service circuit
node via voice.
5. A service circuit node that facilitates setting up a call from a
calling party to a destination when the destination shares a common
directory number with a plurality of other destinations, said
service circuit node comprising: means for receiving from an
originating switch of a telephone switching system, a directory
number and post-fix code entered by the calling party; means for
translating the directory number to a plurality of terminations;
means for selecting one of the plurality of terminations responsive
to said post-fix code; and means for sending the one of said
terminations to a destination switch of the telephone switching
system.
6. A method for use in a service circuit node operably connected to
a telephone switching system for providing calling party selection
of one of a plurality of destinations that share a common
destination directory number, each of said plurality of
destinations having a unique termination that defines how the
telephone switching system completes a call to the destination,
said method comprising the service circuit node performing steps
of: receiving from an originating switch of the switching system, a
message having a destination directory number and post-fix code
associated with a call from the calling party; translating said
destination directory number to determine a plurality of
terminations associated with said directory number; selecting one
of said plurality of terminations responsive to said post-fix code
according to a predefined translation of said post-fix code; and
sending the one of said terminations to a destination switch of the
telephone switching system.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the field of converged and non-converged
telephone networks, and, more specifically, to providing a post-fix
code in telephone office dialing plans to permit a calling party to
select from one of a plurality of features or functions before the
call is routed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
"Being in touch" has become increasingly important for some people;
i.e., doctors, business executives, attorneys, etc., who have a
strong need to be reached wherever they are. Many of these people
have a telephone for business, a telephone for home, a mobile
cellular telephone for the car and/or a transportable telephone
that can be carried around when not near one of the other
telephones. Additionally, some professionals have multiple offices
with a telephone in each office. Some people work at home and in an
office at a business location, with at least one telephone at each
location. Further, most professionals now have at least one fax
machine, and many have pagers and voice mail. Usually, all of these
telephone facilities have different telephone numbers. However,
this requires the caller to know or look up multiple telephone
numbers and frequently make multiple calls in order reach a person.
Some services currently provided by telephone operating companies
cause multiple telephones to ring in order to track down a given
person. In these systems, each telephone still has an individual
number but switching systems cooperate in order to cause ringing to
one or more telephone either simultaneously or sequentially. See,
for example, Harlow et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,901, which issued
Apr. 27, 1993.
Increasingly, the telephone network is providing both voice and
data services, whereas in the past these services were provided by
separate networks. The resulting network is generally called a
"converged network". Converged telephone networks may use a packet
network and/or a circuit switched network for all or part of the
path. However, the path through packet networks may not provide the
quality or privacy desired by a caller. Furthermore, calls
initiated in a packet network may specify routing or service
capabilities such as fax or data routing that cannot be handled by
conventional telephony signaling. Such service parameters may
require "packet only" routing or cause the call to fail.
Therefore, a problem in the art is that there is no system to
direct call handling or service destinations that the calling party
(caller) may desire.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This problem is solved and a technical advance is achieved in the
art by a system that recognizes "post-fix" codes after directory
numbers are dialed. Such post-fix codes provide the calling party
with the ability to invoke features or functions before the call is
routed. By use of a post-fix code (for example, *X or *XX) the
caller may, for example, control routing of a telephone call. A
plurality of destinations can be associated with the same telephone
number, wherein the post-fix code can signal which one of the
plurality of destinations that the caller wants. Advantageously,
according to one embodiment of this invention, this system A may be
implemented in an intelligent network wherein, when a post-fix code
is received, a query is made of a centralized database to determine
the call destination. Furthermore, if the user does not know the
proper code, an audible menu is presented to the user by the
destination switch-or alternatively by a centralized control point.
Therefore, by use of a post-fix code, the caller signals to the
switching network, which provides a system wherein a call can be
delivered to a specific one of a plurality of destinations when all
of the destinations have the same directory number.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from
a consideration of the following description in conjunction with
the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a converged telephone network
including an exemplary embodiment of an intelligent network that
employs post-fix codes for routing purposes;
FIG. 2 is an example of a directory number record for use with
post-fix codes; and
FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are flow charts of control of the actions of
various embodiments of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a converged telephone
network 100, wherein an exemplary method of this invention may be
practiced. In this exemplary embodiment, converged telephone
network 100 comprises a voice intelligent network 102, similar or
identical to the intelligent network described in AT&T
Technical Journal, Summer, 1991, pages 11-25, and a packet data
network 104. Intelligent network 100 comprises a plurality of
switching service points (SSP) 110, 120 and 131. Three SSPs are
shown in this example for clarity, but an operational intelligent
network may comprise more.
SSP 110 is, in this exemplary embodiment, a distributed control,
digital switch such as a 5ESS.RTM. switch as described in the
AT&T Technical Journal, v6 D4, number 6, July/August 1985,
pages 1303-1564, the November, 1981 Bell Laboratories Record, page
258, and the December 1981 Bell Laboratories Record, page 290 and
is currently manufactured by Lucent Technologies. Alternatively,
SSP 110 may be a distributed control, analog or digital switch,
such as an ISDN switching system as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,592,048 issued to M. W. Beckner et al. on May 27, 1986. SSP 110
is connected to a plurality of telephone station sets such as dual
tone multi-frequency (DTMF) telephone 111 and integrated services
digital network (ISDN) telephone 112 via a plurality of switch
modules each having a plurality of ports (not shown for clarity but
well known in the art). SSP 110 is a stored program controlled
system under control of processor 113. Processor 113 maintains a
database of translations 114 for translating directory numbers into
line appearances or other call processing treatment (herein
"terminations").
SSP 120 comprises, in this exemplary embodiment, a 5ESS local
switch similar or identical to SSP 110. A plurality of station sets
are connected to SSP 120, such as DTMF telephone 121, ISDN
telephone 122, pager service 123, fax machine 124 and voice mail
system 125. SSP 120 is controlled by processor 126 which maintains
a translation database 127. SSP 120 is also connected to a service
circuit node (SCN) 128 which provides centralized services for SSP
120 and other SSPs in intelligent network 100. SCN 128 includes
DTMF detectors 129 and voice response unit 130.
SSP 131 comprises a cellular communications system which, in this
exemplary embodiment, comprises a Lucent Technologies AUTOPLEX.RTM.
system 1000. Cellular communications system comprises a plurality
of cells, for example 132, 133 connected to a wireless
communications system 131 via data links for message communication
and communication path trunks. Wireless communications system 131
may be a central processing system or may be a distributed
processing system as described in Warty, et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,827,299, which issued May 2, 1989. Wireless communications system
131 includes a processor 134 and a translation table 135 which
records the status of mobile stations, such as mobile station 136,
within the cellular communications system. SSPs 110, 120 and 131
are interconnected by a plurality of trunks or channels 140 which
provide voice and data communication paths between SSPs. SSPs 110,
120 and 130 are also connected by signaling channels 150. The SSPs
use signaling channels 150 to communicate with each other to set up
connections and providing special features. SSPs communicate on
signaling channel 150 using signaling systems 7 (SS7) protocol in
this exemplary embodiment. Signaling channel 150 is connected to
signal transfer point 160 (STP), which acts as a signaling switch
to receive and forward messages among SSPs, and receives and
forwards signaling as necessary to switching control point 170
(SCP). SCP 170 provides a common database 175 for use by all of the
SSPs, and other functionalities will be described below.
Packet data network 104 includes packet data switch 180. Packet
data switch 180 may comprise, for example, an ATM switch as is
known in the art. Packet data switch 180 is connected to switching
service points 110, 120 and 131 for example via trunks 182. Packet
data switch 180 is also connected to other data resources 184 via
another trunk 182. Other data resources 184 may include such things
as data bases, high speed networks, the Internet, etc.
In a converged network, a call from, for example, telephone 111 to,
for example, mobile phone 136 may be transported via trunks 140 or
may be transported through packet data network 104, depending upon
the loading conditions. Further, a personal computer such as 186
connected to ISDN telephone 112 may access data resources 184
through switching service point 110, trunk 182, packet data switch
180 and finally to data resources. This data call may be set up
either directly from PC 186 or from ISDN telephone 112 according to
an exemplary embodiment of this invention.
In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, a caller at
telephone 111 calls a person whose home telephone is 121, office
telephone is 112, and who also has a pager service 123, fax machine
124 and voice mail 125. Further, the called party has a wireless
phone 136. For purposes of describing this invention, all of
telephones 122, 112, pager system 123, fax machine 124, voice mail
125 and wireless phone 136 have the same directory
Under prior art call processing, each service or telephones would
have a unique directory number, and the call from telephone 111
would be processed by processor 113. It would then be routed via
one of trunks 140 to switching service point 120. Processor 126
would perform a translation using translation database 127 to
determine how to deliver the call. In the prior art scenario,
processor 126 would cause one or more connections to be made
depending on the specific service described by the call record. For
example, the processor 126 could sequentially ring telephone 121
cause a connection to be made back to SSP 110 and then ring
telephone 112 and then possibly a connection to SSP 131 which would
cause telephone 136 to ring. Ultimately if none of these are
answered, then process 126 routes the call to voice mail 125 or
pager service 123.
According to this invention, along with the directory number, the
caller at telephone 111 enters a post-fix code. It is envisioned
that this post-fix code may be a *X or *XX (or even potentially
*XXX) depending on available "*" codes. In this exemplary
embodiment, * 1 is interpreted as home telephone, *2 is interpreted
as fax machine, *3 is interpreted as office telephone, *4 is
interpreted as cell phone, *5 pager service, and *6 voice mail
service. Therefore, when SSP 110 is receiving digits from 111 it
counts digits as is currently practiced in the art, then pauses and
waits a predetermined amount of time for a post-fix code to be
entered. If no post-fix code is entered, then normal call
processing is performned. However, if a post-fix code is entered,
then the post-fix code, in one exemplary embodiment, may be
forwarded to the terminating switch. The terminating switch can
then determine, from translation database 124, which of the
possible terminations is desired. Thus, for example, an unimportant
message may be directed by the caller to voice mail system 125 or
alternatively, the caller could direct the call to a mobile system
136. Alternatively, fax 124 may be directly contacted by fax 115,
even if fax 124 shares the same directory number. The user of fax
115 dials the common directory number and a post-fix code (*2 in
this example). The service provider (or customer) is thus saved the
expense of having additional equipment at the terminating line to
determine that a fax connection is required. Thus, only one
directory number is necessary to serve a plurality of destinations
and a call may be delivered through a default action or through
control of the caller using post-fix codes.
In a further embodiment of this invention, when the caller enters a
post-fix code at telephone 111, SSP 110 recognizes that a post-fix
code was entered and sends the directory number dialed, the
post-fix code, and optionally the automatic number identification
(ANI) of the calling telephone over signaling channel 150 to signal
transfer point 160. Signal transfer point 160 sends the message to
switching control point 170. A database query is made in database
175 to determine the treatment for the call. In this exemplary
embodiment, the SCP may instruct switch 110 as to which office and
which termination in the office to direct the call. Alternatively,
SCP 170 may direct both ends of the call to connect to one another
by selecting trunks, specifying lines, etc. Further, the SCP 170
may use the optional ANI to determine if there is special treatment
given to this particular origination telephone. For example, there
could be a private code useable only by a specific caller to access
a private line, i.e., telephone 122 using the same directory number
as telephone 121.
Alternatively, when a user enters a post-fix code, the call may be
directed to the destination switch using standard directory number
destination processing. Then this example SSP 120 recognizes a
post-fix code and connects the caller to service circuit node 125.
SCN 125 prompts the caller for which of several destinations the
caller wishes to be connected to. Alternatively, a menu may be
presented to the caller as is known in the art and the caller may
select using DTMF signaling 129 or voice response system 130. The
results of the SCN menu selection is sent back to SSP 120 and the
call is completed as selected. It is not important to this
exemplary embodiment where the SCN 125 is located. For example, it
could be connected to switching control point 170, SSP 110, SSP
130, etc. Information regarding delivery of the call after a
post-fix code is entered is the key to this particular
invention.
According to a further embodiment of this invention, the user of
ISDN telephone 112 and PC 186 may place a call to data resources
184 by dialing an access number (a regular directory number)
followed by a post-fix code. SSP 110 then performs a data base look
up on the directory number, determines the call is a data call and
connects the call directly to packet data switch 180 which then
directs the call to data resources 184. In this manner, the
switching service point 110 may differentiate between data calls
for the data network and the traditional voice type calls.
FIG. 2 illustrates a translation data base (127, FIG. 1) according
to an exemplary embodiment of this invention. The primary key for
this record is the incoming telephone number, i.e., 555-4444. The
post-fix code provides an index into the record. In this exemplary
embodiment, code 0 indicates that a voice connection to telephone
121 is desired. Processor 126 then notes that the connection is to
SM1 port A612 and the action is to apply ringing signal to
telephone 121. Likewise, if the post-fix code is 1, a data
connection is desired and the connection is in SM1 port F422. The
code 3 is for a fax 124 which connects through port A416 in SM2,
and the action of ringing. The code of 3 indicates voice mail 125
which is connected to SM4 at port G133 which has no special action.
A post-fix code of 4 indicates that the user's pager 123 is desired
which is connected to SM1 port F261. This exemplary table is
specific to a 5ESS.RTM. switch and more specifically to switch
modules therein. The organization of other switches would dictate
the arrangement of the fields. For example, most switches do not
have switch modules. However, all switches have ports and other
actions.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a flow chart for processing at an
origination office (such as SSP 110 in the previous exemplary
embodiment) is shown. Processing starts in circle 200 and moves to
decision diamond 202. In decision diamond 202 the standard seven
(7) or eleven (11) digits are collected (or the digits associated
with an international call). Processing then moves to decision
diamond 204 to determine whether a time out has been reached. If a
time out has not been reached without entry of a code, processing
waits at decision diamond 204. If a time out has been reached, a
determination is made if a post-fix code is received in decision
diamond 208. If a post-fix code has not been received in decision
diamond 208, then the call is processed normally in box 209.
If a post-fix code was received in decision diamond 208, then a
determination is made in decision diamond 210 whether the post-fix
code is a valid code. If the post-fix code is not a valid code, a
prompt is played in action box 211 and then processing proceeds
back to decision diamond 204. Processing then proceeds to action
box 212 where the post-fix code and the directory number and
optionally the directory number of the calling phone (ANI) is
delivered to post-fix code treatment. This, as mentioned above,
could be on a terminating switch 120 or switching control point 170
or other node and in intelligent network 100. Processing ends in
circle 214.
Turning now to FIG. 4, processing, as performed at SSP 120 when it
receives a directory number and a post-fix code is described.
Processing starts in circle 300. Processing continues to decision
diamond 310 where a determination is made if a post-fix code was
received. If a post-fix code was not received, the call is
processed normally in action box 312. If a post-fix code was
received, then processing proceeds to action box 314 where database
translation lookup is performed. In this database translation, a
lookup is performed to determine which termination is associated
with the specific post-fix code. Then processing moves to decision
diamond 316 where a determination is made if the desired
destination (termination of the call) is connected directly to the
serving switch. If it is, then the call is directed to the
appropriate line in action box 318 and call processing proceeds as
usual. If the desired determination is not attached to the
terminating switch, then the call is either redirected to a desired
destination in action box 320, or alternatively, the proper routing
information may be sent back to the originating switch 110 via
signaling channel 150. Processing ends in circle 322. Turning now
to FIG. 5, processing that would take place in a switching control
point such as SCP 170 is shown. Processing starts in circle 400 and
proceeds to action box 402 where SCP receives the DN, the post-fix
code and optionally the ANI of the calling telephone. SCP then
performs a database lookup using the DN in action box 404 and
determines whether the post-fix code receives and/or the ANI
receives special treatment in decision diamond 406. If the call
does not receive special treatment, then in action box 408 call
routing information is sent back to the requesting switch.
Optionally, call routing information may be sent to the forward or
destination switch in action box 410 and processing ends in circle
412.
If special treatment is determined for the call in decision diamond
406, then the special treatment is performed in action box 414 and
the data is sent to the respective switches depending upon what
treatment the call is to receive.
Turning now to FIG. 6, processing as would take place in a menu
system such as that described in connection with service circuit
node 125 is shown. Processing starts in circle 500 and proceeds to
action box 502 where a menu is presented to the caller. The caller
then selects a post-fix code in action box 504. A determination is
then made if the destination is available in decision diamond 506.
If the destination is not available, then in action box 508, the
caller is directed to an announcement. If the destination is
available then the routing information is sent to the switch in
action box 510 and the call is completed to the specified
destination. Processing ends in circle 512.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are
merely illustrative principles of the invention and that many
variations may be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of this invention. This invention has been
described in terms of routing a call to one of a plurality of
destinations that share one directory number. However, other
features and functions may be implemented using this unique code.
It is, therefore, intended that such variations be included within
the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *